A TEENAGER charged with assault is the first woman bail bandit to be named in an Examiner campaign to help police discover where they are.

Kelly Bakhsh, 18, failed to turn up in court. She was last known to be living at Northway on the London Park estate in Mirfield.

A warrant was issued for her arrest at Dewsbury Magistrates’ Court last New Year’s Eve.

She was named as it was revealed that police are getting lots of tip-offs about people wanted on warrant.

Bail bandits can tie up valuable police time as officers try to catch them. Some are missing through flitting from house to house in a bid to evade capture.

Discovering where they are takes officers away from being out and about on patrol, clamping down on anti-social behaviour and crime.

Also, some bail bandits continue to commit crimes while on the run.

The scheme has been pioneered by the Examiner and officers from Kirklees CID intelligence unit.

Det Sgt Jim Carter, of the unit, said: “We have found with these bail bandits that people will pick up the phone and tell us about them.

“The information about them is already in the public domain because when courts issue a warrant it is announced in open court. But this gives us the chance to circulate this information to a wider audience.’’

Another bail bandit is wanted in connection with alleged money laundering offences. He is 29-year-old Adam Littlewood who frequents the Old Bank area of Earlsheaton, Dewsbury. He has short, cropped streaked blond hair.

Michael Maguire is wanted for allegedly breaching a community order. The 23-year-old was last known to be living at Coombe Road in Milnsbridge. He also frequents Golcar. He is white and 5ft 10in tall, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Another man wanted for allegedly breaching a community order is 35-year-old Mark Nicholson. His last known address was at Wharton Avenue in Heckmondwike and he also has links to Chinewood Avenue in Batley.

Anyone with information should phone police on 01484 436675 or 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.